Uniform Circular

Motion
A motion along a circular path in which there is
no change in speed, only a change in direction.
Therefore, even though the speed is constant, moving around
a circular path, the object accelerates because there is a
change in direction since acceleration is the change of velocity
in magnitude or direction.
Angular Displacement
and Angular Velocity
Anything that moves in a circle:
 Has a steady speed
 Has a changing direction
 Has a changing velocity
 Accelerates towards the centre, and yet never
gets closer to it
Angular displacement
Displacement – it as shortest distance
from the initial to the final position.
This is called linear displacement
Angular displacement – This is
defined as an angle swept by an object
moving in circle. It is given as θ.
Considering a particle that moves
along a circular path, as the particle
moves along the arc of the circle from
A to B, the OA (radius r) joining the
particle to the center of the circle
sweeping through an angle θ
 cont....
The length of the arc AB is equal to the radius of the circle.
The angle subtended by this arc is equal to one radian
One radian is the angle subtended at the center by the arc
equal to the radius of the circle.
If the length of the arc is 2 times the radius, then the
displacement is 2 radians.
For the whole circle, the length of the arc is the
circumference and the angle is now 3600.
The angular displacement therefore = 2π radians
Radian is also denoted as rads.
2π radians = 3600
Arc length
The arc AB is of length s in a circle of center O
and radius r. The arc subtends an angle θ at the
center.
Therefore, as the arc kr subtends an angle of k
radians; where k = θ.
Hence, here:
S(AB) = r θ
Unit conversion
1. From degrees to radians
X rad = * X0
2. From radians to degrees
X = * X rad
0
Example
Angular and linear Velocity
Linear velocity (v) – this is the rate of change of
linear displacement. It is given as:
V= =
And the units are m/s
Angular velocity (ω) - this is defined as the rate of
change of angular displacement. It is given as:
ω=
And the units are rad/s
Relationship between angular
velocity and linear velocity
When an object is moved around, it moves with angular velocity.
However, when the string is released, when there is no force
pulling it towards the center, the object flies off with linear
velocity.
Arc length s = r θ
Dividing both sides by t
=
But = = v (linear velocity) and = ω (angular velocity)
v (linear velocity)= r(radius) x ω (angular velocity) = r ω
Therefore, angular velocity is the same but linear velocity changes
depending on the distance from the center of the circle.
Relationship between angular
velocity and frequency
Frequency – is the number of complete cycles in one
second
Period – is the time taken to complete one cycle
For one complete cycle (circular motion), displacement
(θ) = 3600 = 2π radians and the time taken t= T (period)
Hence ω = and = 2π radians and t= T
ω = and f = and T = ,
ω = 2π x frequency (f) = 2πf
Example
Example 2
Centripetal force and
Centripetal acceleration
Centripetal force – it is the force that
acts on an object moving in a circle and it
is directed towards the center of the
circle.
Centripetal acceleration – it is the
acceleration for an object that moves in a
circle and it acts towards the center circle.
Newton’s first law of motion Cont...
States that a body continues to move at a constant velocity
unless acted upon by a force. Therefore, a force is required to
make an object change direction and move in a circular motion.
Example
1. A car turns a corner.
 A force provided by friction between the tyres and the road.
1. When a ball is whirled at the end of a string.
2. As the earth orbits around the sun.
 A force is provided by gravitational attraction between the two
bodies.
Centripetal acceleration, ac
While the speed is constant for a particle that undergoes
uniform circular motion, the velocity is not constant.
Recall that the acceleration of an object is proportional to
the change in velocity over the course of a time interval,
given as:
a=
Therefore, If an object moves at a speed v in a circle of
radius r, centripetal acceleration will be calculated as:

Centripetal acceleration ac =
Centripetal force, Fc
Centripetal force is calculated using the
following formula:
Force = mass x acceleration
F=mxa
So, if the object moving in a circle has a
mass m,
Centripetal force required, Fc =
Using angular velocity
Linear velocity, v = r
Therefore, ac = = = r 2

And
Fc = = = mr 2
Factors that affect the
centripetal force, Fc
More centripetal force is needed if:
a. The mass of the object is increased.
b. The speed of the object is increased.
c. The radius of the circle is reduced.
Examples
Applications of Uniform
Circular motion
1. A car negotiating a flat turn
 The road provides two forces namely; Normal contact force (N) –
this force balances the weight (mg) of the car and Static friction
(Fs) - the force between the tyres and the road surface. The
centripetal force necessary for the circular motion is generated by
the friction between the tyres and the road. The centripetal force is
that of static friction (Fs). Fc = Fs. If the friction force is not
enough, the car will not go around the bend along the desired
path.
2. A car corning on a banked road
 Banked road are those roads that their outer edges are raised a
little above the inner side such that the road is slopping towards
the centre of the curve
 Circular paths are given a small banking angle in order that the
 Applications....
3. Leaning inwards of a cyclist
 A cyclist going around a circular path lean inwards to provide the
necessary centripetal force so as to be able to make the turn
4. An aircraft banking
 When an aircraft is banking, the pilot changes its direction by tipping
the aircraft’s wings. The vertical component of the lift force (L) on the
wings balances the weight of the aircraft while the horizontal
component of L provides the centripetal force required to make the
turn
5. The conical pendulum
 A conical pendulum consists of a mass m revolving in a horizontal
circle of radius R at the end of a cord of length L.
 The vertical component of tension (T) is equal to the weight of the
mass while the horizontal component of the tension generates the
centripetal force for the circular motion.
Applications....
6. Centrifuge
 It is a device that separates liquids of different densities or solids
suspended in liquids. The mixture is poured in a tube in a centrifuge,
which is then rotated at a higher speed in a circle.
 The tube is initially in the vertical position and takes the horizontal
position when the centrifuge starts rotating
 The matter of low density moves inwards towards the center of
rotation.
 When the centrifuge stops, the tube returns to the vertical position
with the less denser matter on top in the tube
7. Drying machine
 Wet clothes are rotated in a cylindrical drum containing a lot of
perforations (holes)
 Initially, the wet clothes move in a circular motion along with the
drum, as the speed increases, the adhesive forces of the water in
clothes gives up and breaks off from the clothes and flies off through